At the University of the Balearic Islands, in Ibiza local centre, an eportfolio project in Teacher Education has been implemented since the 2009-2010 school year. This article is based on the research of the two first school years (2009-2010 and 2010-11) of experimental implementation of blogs as electronic portfolios. The results reported are those related to student teachers' perceptions of blogs as eportfolios and the assessment of their performance. The project is aimed at fostering the construction of an electronic portfolio in order to build student teachers' networked selves as future Early Childhood Education teachers. Both the project and research are based on the principle that social media empower eportfolios. Data obtained allows us to observe some affordances of blogs as eportfolio platforms. However, data collected during the two-year period of research raises some unexpected issues of blogs as eportfolios.


In the last ten to fifteen years, Zambia has been on a road to transition from a 'brown economy' to a'green economy'. The key aim for such a transition is to eliminate the tradeoffs between economic growth and investment and gains in environmental quality and social inclusiveness. This paper describes the events and activities done and implemented in the country leading to making Zambia a clean, green and healthy nation as well as addressing social and economic challenges. It looks at the global origins of the green initiative and its development in Zambia through policies and activities of both government and its cooperating partners. The paper also examines the evidence of green growth in Zambia and the support the country is receiving in the implementation of the green initiatives. Finally, it analyses the linkages between green growth and sustainable development, as well as the challenges faced by the transition to green economy.


A method for optimal electric energy production of thermal-hydro power systems is presented in this paper. The electric energy produced by hydroelectric plants and coal-fired plants is divided into 4 components: potential energy, kinetic energy, water-deep pressure energy and reservoir energy. A new and important concept, reservoir energy, is proposed, based on which is divided into a number of water bodies, for example 3 water bodies, and a reservoir is analyzed in a new way. This paper presents a optimal scheduling solution of electric energy production of thermal-hydro power systems based on multi-factors analytic method, in which some important factors, such as load demand, reservoir in-flow, water-consumed volume increment rate of hydroelectric plants or converted from coal-fired plants, and so on are given to model the objective function and the constraints. A study example with three simulation cases is carried out to illustrate flexibility, adaptability, applicability of the proposed method.


The research involved the analysis of test results concerning the effect of laser surfacing process conditions on the characteristics of an overlay weld made of alloy Stellite 694 on the substrate of nickel superalloy Inconel 738LC as well as the determination and specification of the most common overlay weld imperfections. The overlay weld subjected to the tests was made using a Yb:YAG disc laser having a power of 1 kW and a filler metal in the form of powdered Stellite 694 cobalt alloy. The research led to the development of process conditions and the identification of major overlay weld imperfections including lacks of penetration, gas pores and microcracks in the base material. The formation of above-named imperfections could be ascribed to low laser radiation power density (< 30 kW/cm2), the excessive overlap of consecutive tracks (> 60% of the single track width) and the insufficient gas shielding of liquid metal in the weld pool.


The aim of this study was to conduct a feasibility study for the pepper cultivation (Piper nigrum) in La Virgen de Sarapiqui, Costa Rica. During the months of March to June 2012, studies were conducted to determine commercial, technical and financial viability for the cultivation and production of 2.5 ha of pepper in La Virgen de Sarapiqui, Heredia, Costa Rica. The technical study shows that the selected location is suitable for this type of activity; as for financial viability, it is concluded that the project is feasible, this is determined by the resulting NPV of ¢15,531,127 and IRR of 19,4%.


Background The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine uses a novel messenger RNA technology to elicit a protective immune response. Short-term physiologic responses to the vaccine have not been studied using wearable devices. Objective We aim to characterize physiologic changes in response to COVID-19 vaccination in a small cohort of participants using a wearable device (WHOOP Strap 3.0). This is a proof of concept for using consumer-grade wearable devices to monitor response to COVID-19 vaccines. Methods In this prospective observational study, physiologic data from 19 internal medicine residents at a single institution that received both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was collected using the WHOOP Strap 3.0. The primary outcomes were percent change from baseline in heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate (RHR), and respiratory rate (RR). Secondary outcomes were percent change from baseline in total, rapid eye movement, and deep sleep. Exploratory outcomes included local and systemic reactogenicity following each dose and prophylactic analgesic use. Results In 19 individuals (mean age 28.8, SD 2.2 years; n=10, 53% female), HRV was decreased on day 1 following administration of the first vaccine dose (mean –13.44%, SD 13.62%) and second vaccine dose (mean –9.25%, SD 22.6%). RHR and RR showed no change from baseline after either vaccine dose. Sleep duration was increased up to 4 days post vaccination, after an initial decrease on day 1. Increased sleep duration prior to vaccination was associated with a greater change in HRV. Local and systemic reactogenicity was more severe after dose two. Conclusions This is the first observational study of the physiologic response to any of the novel COVID-19 vaccines as measured using wearable devices. Using this relatively small healthy cohort, we provide evidence that HRV decreases in response to both vaccine doses, with no significant changes in RHR or RR. Sleep duration initially decreased following each dose with a subsequent increase thereafter. Future studies with a larger sample size and comparison to other inflammatory and immune biomarkers such as antibody response will be needed to determine the true utility of this type of continuous wearable monitoring in regards to vaccine responses. Our data raises the possibility that increased sleep prior to vaccination may impact physiologic responses and may be a modifiable way to increase vaccine response. These results may inform future studies using wearables for monitoring vaccine responses. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04304703; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04304703


The Stockhausen archive has a large collection of concert programmes in which Stockhausen's music has been performed from 1952 to the present day. This resource is extremely rich but its potential is untapped unless meaningful relations can be made between items. My initial intention was to find out about how sound engineers and technicians were credited in performances, but this eventually led to the creation of a fully searchable database of all Stockhausen concert details from 1952-1972. The Drupal framework allows easy creation of new search criteria, and this maximizes the utility of having all the information in a database. It is possible to search by work, concert series, performer, city, gender of performers, and several other criteria, all of which can be combined. This opens up possibilities for revealing social, cultural, economic and other perspectives way beyond what originally motivated this research.


The design and synthesis of novel poly(L-histidine)-grafted mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) by a surface-initiated ring-opening polymerization process (ROP) is reported. Using (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) to introduce primary amino groups onto the MSN outer surface that work as ROP initiators, the nanoparticles were decorated with a uniform pH-sensitive poly(L-histidine) (PHis) shell. The method applied for the MSN functionalization, guaranteed that PHis chains were not grafted inside the MSNs' nanochannels. Successful grafting of the PHis chains was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy, TEM and TGA, while the controlled character of the polymerization was monitored by SEC analysis. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential analysis were used to reveal the pH-responsive nature of the polypeptide-gated MSNs. The role of the grafted PHis chains as pH-sensitive nanogates for the MSN pores was verified by drug loading and release studies, using the model anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). DOX was efficiently loaded within the nanochannels of the hybrid MSN@PHis nanostructures (approximately 90%), and was released in a relatively controlled pH-triggered manner. Overall, the described materials are promising candidates as nanocarriers for potential drug delivery applications.


From the Publisher:
C#(C Sharp) is a simple, modern, object-oriented and type-safe programming language that provides the simplicity of Visual Basic with the power of C++. Written by Christoph Wille, one of only a handful of developers with early access to this exciting new language, this book covers the C# language from the ground up with rich coding examples, and expert insight into issues you will need to understand to fully take advantage of the power of C#. Presenting C# assumes you are already familiar with key programming concepts such as variables, and programming constructs. With this concise, code-intensive guide, you can get up to speed on Microsoft's new C# language, and begin creating next-generation applications and Web services today.


BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of morbidity and mortality as a result of its complications. Long-term complications of diabetes mellitus have been linked to poor glycemic control. Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end stage renal disease in the developed world and third leading cause in Nigeria. Various independent risk factors have been identified as predictors of diabetic nephropathy. One of such factors is urinary albumin excretion. OBJECTIVE This study set out to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria (MA), glycemic control and the relationship between urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and other known predictors of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients with disease duration greater than 5 years. STUDY DESIGN Fifty non-proteinuric patients were selected consecutively for this cross-sectional study. Urinary albumin concentration was determined in a timed overnight urine sample by immunoturbidimetry and glycated haemoglobin was determined using boronate affinity method. Comparison was made between the patients with microalbuminuria and those with normal albumin excretion and the most likely predictors of urinary albumin excretion were determined. RESULTS Fifty-two percent of the patients studied had good glycaemic control (HbA1c < 7%) while 83% had microalbuminuria (UAE 20-200 mg/min). There was no significant correlation between the UAE and the HbA1c. UAE however correlated significantly with the age and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of the patients. CONCLUSION Almost half of the patient population had suboptimal glycemic control. There was a high prevalence of microalbuminuria amongst the patients studied. Significant predictors of UAE in this study were the age of the patients and DBP but not HbA1c.


This paper analyses the relationship between national economic conditions and public support for the EU. Firstly, it proposes a simple conceptual framework, drawing on theories of utilitarian support and on the recent political economic literature on integration processes. Subsequently, it tests this framework against panel data on EU member countries. The findings show that economic benefits and costs shape citizens' attitudes towards EU membership, but with differences over time and space. Our analysis challenges some previous findings of the literature on aggregate public support for the EU and may also shed some light on the problems encountered during ratification of the Constitutional Treaty.


The soil erosion in the vineyards is a critical issue that could affect their productivity, but also, when the cultivation is organized in terraces, increase the risk due to derived slope failure processes. If terraces are not correctly designed or maintained, a progressively increasing of gully erosion affects the structure of the walls. The results of this process is the increasing of connectivity and runoff. In order to overcome such issues it is really important to recognize in detail all the surface drainage paths, thus providing a basis upon which develop a suitable drainage system or provide structural measures for the soil erosion risk mitigation. In the last few years, the airborne LiDAR technology led to a dramatic increase in terrain information. Airborne LiDAR and Terrestrial Laser Scanner derived high-resolution Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) have opened avenues for hydrologic and geomorphologic studies (Tarolli et al., 2009). In general, all the main surface process signatures are correctly recognized using a DTM with cell sizes of 1 m. However sub-meter grid sizes may be more suitable in those situations where the analysis of micro topography related to micro changes is critical for slope failures risk assessment or for the design of detailed drainage flow paths. The Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) has been proven to be an useful tool for such detailed field survey. In this work, we test the effectiveness of high resolution topography derived by airborne LiDAR and TLS for the recognition of areas subject to soil erosion risk in a typical terraced vineyard landscape of "Chianti Classico" (Tuscany, Italy). The algorithm proposed by Tarolli et al. (2013), for the automatic recognition of anthropic feature induced flow direction changes, has been tested. The results underline the effectiveness of LiDAR and TLS data in the analysis of soil erosion signatures in vineyards, and indicate the high resolution topography as a useful tool to improve the land use management of such areas. The stability conditions have been analyzed under the influence of the measured geometry alterations of the wall structure.


ABTSRACT
This research aims to determine the business entities performance of Amanah Cooperative, contribution of
the cooperative toward development, and the satisfaction level of members to service performance at the
cooperative. This research was conducted at Amanah Cooperative in Langkapura subdistrict of Bandar
Lampung City. Respondents were 68 active members of Amanah Cooperative. Data were analyzed by using
descriptive analysis, service quality (servqual), and importance performance analysis (IPA). The results
showed that Amanah Cooperative performance was included in medium category. Contributions of Amanah
Cooperative development were seen from (a) obedience of the cooperative in tax payment which is zero
because the cooperative suffered losses, (b) employment growth which was not yet known, because this year
was the first year of cooperative activity, (c) the wage level of employees which was not good because it was
less than regional minimum wage. The members were not satisfied by services especially on the dimensions
of responsiveness. Attributes considered to be important were supporting facilities of the work space,
supporting physical infrastructure for the reception area, counter staff, administrative employee rooms,
completion service process of members from the beginning to the end, availability of brochures or bulletin
boards, the service officer information, and the accuracy of the information provided.
Key words: cooperative, performance, success


The Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) is the cause of chickenpox and shingles in humans. Chickenpox is generally a mild disease affecting children under thirteen, but is much more dangerous if contracted at an older age. Complications from chickenpox include encephalitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, cerebral ataxia, congenital varicella syndrome, and Reye's syndrome. Shingles generally affects older or immunocompromised people, and is characterized by a painful rash. Complications include glaucoma, blindness, post-herpatic neuralgia, or encephalitis. In the U.S., the chickenpox vaccine was added to the national immunization program in 1995. This one dose policy effectively decreased incidences, but failed to prevent outbreaks. The two-dose vaccination program was adopted in 2007. A shingles vaccine exists and is recommended for people over sixty as a booster shot, but it is only about 50% effective. The question now is whether an effective vaccination program for chickenpox would increase the incidence of shingles due to the lack of adult exposure to VZV. Mathematical modeling is used to investigate VZV transmission in the US population as well as the effectiveness of various control measures. Their effectiveness in preventing outbreaks was investigated, and four streamlined models were developed to describe the spread of chickenpox and shingles, and the models' basic epidemic characteristics, such as equilibrium solutions and their stability, were analyzed. In addition, the Vaccination Reproduction Number (Rv) was calculated for each model using the Next Generation Operator Method. Numerical solutions for various values of parameters are investigated in the attempt to predict the efficacy of various vaccination strategies within a population as well as view the long- term behavior of shingles incidence in conjunction with these vaccination strategies for VZV. The result from numerical solutions shows that with 2-dose program and 90% coverage, the zoster incidence will increase significantly for about 27 years, and then decrease after that.


This 26-minute video consists of excerpts from interviews conducted with 10 partners from the New York law firm of Schulte Roth & Zabel (SRZ). The firm was identified by Coopers & Lybrand as exemplifying an excellent, high-performing partnership. The video is intended to stimulate class discussions on issues pertaining to high-performing partnerships, partnering, and teaming. The video contains six segments: I. On Being a Partner II. Partnering with Others III. Identifying and Developing Future Partners IV. Qualities That Distinguish the SRZ Partnership V. Building, Sustaining, and Renewing the Partnership VI. Future Challenges Facing the Partnership This case and related materials can be used as part of the Power of Partnership Teaching Module. (cross reference UVA-BP-0355)


This paper points out that no existing technically-implemented speech model is adequate enough to describe one of the most fundamental and unique capacities of human speech processing. Language acquisition of infants is based on vocal imitation [1] but they don't impersonate their parents and imitate only the linguistic and para-linguistic aspects of the parents' utterances. The vocal imitation is found only in a few species of animals: birds, dolphins, and whales, but their imitation is acoustic imitation [2]. How to represent what in the utterances human infants imitate? An adequate speech model for it should be independent of the extra-linguistic features and represents only the linguistic and para-linguistc aspects. We already proposed a new speech representation [3], called speech structure, which is proved mathematically to be invariant with any kind of transformation. Its extremely high independence of speaker differences was shown experimentally [4, 5, 6]. In this paper, by reviewing studies of evolutionary anthropology and those of language disorders, we discuss the theoretical validity of the new model to describe the human-unique capacity of speech processing.


This brief argues that certain visa application denials, particularly those based on information originating from agencies other than the Department of State, can be qualitatively different from denials based on consular discretion. Although the end result looks the same – "Visa Denied" – denials based on database and watchlist information maintained in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and other agencies, bear little resemblance to the traditional exercise of consular discretion because the specific information which requires the consular officer to deny these visas is usually not available for him or her to evaluate. Real decision-making in these cases has in effect been ceded to the database and watchlisting process, in which government agents other than consular officers affix a label (e.g., "known or suspected terrorist") that is then used as a proxy for consular judgment.
As a consequence, visa denials that rely on database and watchlist information frequently involve no consular discretion and are compelled by conclusory statements for which the underlying basis is unseen and unevaluated by a consular officer.
Judicial review should be available for visa applications denied on grounds extending beyond consular discretion, with appropriate restrictions to prevent release of classified information. Judicial review is especially appropriate when a U.S. citizen's family unity is at stake.
During their public service, Amici on the brief were collectively responsible for assessing tens of thousands of visa applications, as line consular officers and in supervisory capacities. Now, as then, they are interested in maximizing the accuracy and fairness of weighty decisions about whom to admit to the United States, particularly when U.S. citizens' family reunification is at stake. They submit this brief to clarify the role that consular officers and other government actors play in the current visa-security system when evaluating visa applications that may implicate national security.
Amici on the brief are former consular officers with decades of experience working for the Department of State: Bushra A. Malik, Robert A. Mautino, Stephen R. Pattison, William R. Rosner, Peter van Buren, and Micah Watson.


In this article, I will examine the concept of xujing 虛靜 (emptiness and stillness) in Daoism and its relationship with the aesthetic appreciation of nature and environmental ethics. Firstly, I will examine the Chinese philosophical understanding of nature through the concept of qi . I point out that qi is characterized by four interrelated features, which are emptiness, creativity, vitality, and stillness. Xujing are also aesthetically appreciated as the objective features of qi . Secondly, I will discuss why, as the objective features of qi, xujing are considered to be features that have aesthetic value. I argue that empathy is the reason why emptiness as the objective feature of qi is regarded as having aesthetic value. Thirdly, I will discuss how the aesthetic concept of emptiness helps contribute to the construction of place-based environmental ethics.


From just-enacted (2005) chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to the U.K. Enterprise Act of 2002, legislative reforms to international bankruptcy are on the rise. One of the thorniest issues facing scholars and policymakers alike in these efforts is what to do with the nettlesome problem of local interests. What exactly are these local interests, and what is it that we are we trying to protect? Literature to date has been elusive in pinning this down and has offered, for the most part, only undifferentiated anxiety that an international bankruptcy regime may impinge undesirably upon local concerns. This article seeks to remedy that deficit by constructing a unified account of what we mean when we talk about local interests in multinational bankruptcies. It argues that the locus of concern is both at the individual creditor level and at the sovereign government level - areas of concern that correspond to the vices of greed and pride. The article further argues that the local interest concern has both content-dependent and content-neutral components regarding the substantive content of domestic bankruptcy law. It offers a theory of how these various actor- and law-dependent factors interact in the multi-state, multi-party bankruptcies that are leading today's business headlines. Armed with this richer theory of local bankruptcy interests, the article provides policy recommendations for how best to deal with them. It initially offers a first-best, theoretical approach that employs the concept of what are called bankruptcy meta-norms to deal with the seemingly different norms in substantive bankruptcy laws across jurisdictions. It then outlines a more pragmatically animated interim measure of a local law carve-out, maintaining that such a concession to territorialism represents the most viable chance for a universalist insolvency regime to move forward.


stratum variable. Multivariate risk estimates were obtained aft er adjusting for demographics, insurance status, burden of comorbidities, alcoholism, HIV, and diabetes. Results: Th ere were total 32,172 hospital admissions with primary diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in patients with pre-existing history of chronic pancreatitis. Th ere was no signifi cant diff erence in age, sex, race, median house hold income, and insurance status between PCM and non-PCM patients. Patients with PCM were 2.8 fold for pseudocyst, 2.4 fold for pancreatectomy, 2.2 fold for sepsis, 2.8 fold for ARDS and 2.4 fold for overall complications rate. Th e PCM was also associated with 83% longer length of stay and 90% higher total charges than patients without PCM. Although not signifi cant, PCM patients were 2.3 folds at greater risk for in-hospital mortality and 2.8 fold for pseudocyst (see table). Conclusion: PCM is associated with higher risk of pancreatic pseudocyst, pancreatectomy, sepsis, ARDS, greater length of hospital stay, and hospital charges in patients with ACP. Patients with known chronic pancreatitis should be evaluated for PCM and undergo optimal nutrition management. Outpatient optimal nutrition management should be emphasized in patients with chronic pancreatitis.


Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a globally distributed parasitic infection of humans and livestock. The disease is of significant medical and economic importance in many developing countries, including Iran. However, the socioeconomic impact of the disease, in most endemic countries, is not fully understood. The purpose of the present study was to determine the monetary burden of CE in Iran. Epidemiological data, including prevalence and incidence of CE in humans and animals, were obtained from regional hospitals, the scientific literature, and official government reports. Economic data relating to human and animal disease, including cost of treatment, productivity losses, and livestock production losses were obtained from official national and international datasets. Monte Carlo simulation methods were used to represent uncertainty in input parameters. Mean number of surgical CE cases per year for 2000–2009 was estimated at 1,295. The number of asymptomatic individuals living in the country was estimated at 635,232 (95% Credible Interval, CI 149,466–1,120,998). The overall annual cost of CE in Iran was estimated at US$232.3 million (95% CI US$103.1–397.8 million), including both direct and indirect costs. The cost associated with human CE was estimated at US$93.39 million (95% CI US$6.1–222.7 million) and the annual cost associated with CE in livestock was estimated at US$132 million (95% CI US$61.8–246.5 million). The cost per surgical human case was estimated at US$1,539. CE has a considerable economic impact on Iran, with the cost of the disease approximated at 0.03% of the country's gross domestic product. Establishment of a CE surveillance system and implementation of a control program are necessary to reduce the economic burden of CE on the country. Cost-benefit analysis of different control programs is recommended, incorporating present knowledge of the economic losses due to CE in Iran.


Thermoresponsive synergistic hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) switched by several guest units in a water-soluble polymer is reported. Adjusting the distribution of guest units can effectively change the synergistic H-bonding inside polymer chains, thus widely switch the preorganization and thermoresponsive behavior of a water-soluble polymer. The synergistic H-bonding is also evidenced by converting less polar aldehyde groups into water-soluble oxime groups, which bring about the lowering-down of cloud point and an amplified hysteresis effect. This is a general approach toward the wide tunability of thermosensitivity of a water-soluble polymer simply by adjusting the distribution of several guest H-bonding units.


The study was motivated by a concern for the high vulnerability of poor African women to HIVIAIDS in South Africa and an understanding of their role in the growing informal trade sector in Durban. As the institution responsible for managing informal trade development, this study examines the role of local government in addressing AIDS vulnerability and impact within this economic sector. Local government in South Africa is at the centre of potentially conflicting policy agendas: promoting citizen participation in social and economic development while creating an efficient and competitive local economy. The research outlines how the challenge of meeting these divergent goals has influenced policy approaches to informal trade and the extent to which these constrain or support women traders and their enterprises. The study examines how this in turn influences their economic vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. The study also explores the institutional attitudes and current approaches to addressing mVIAIDS in the informal trade sector and explores the potential for a targeted and integrated response. In-depth interviews with local government staff and external stakeholders were used to investigate institutional perspectives on the significance of HIV/AIDS and the importance of creating appropriate local level interventions within informal trade settings. Interviews also assessed current management and support strategies for informal trade and examined whether these create an enabling environment for women to protect themselves and their enterprises against the threat and impact of HIV/AIDS. Interviews were supported by an extensive review of gender and HIV/AIDS literature and analysis of relevant policy regarding informal economy and SMME development in South Africa. The study found that the multiple pressures on local government, as well as institutional restructuring and staff changes have inhibited progress towards implementing an effective management strategy for informal trade. A lack of regulation threatens the security and livelihoods of survivalist women traders, and high barriers to obtaining permits to trade impact negatively on women due to their multiple constraints and responsibilities. The study revealed that priority in providing holistic business support, including skills development and financial serVices, IS skewed towards more profitable enterprises which has excluded most women traders. This has restricted women's productive capacity and enterprise development and heightened their economic vulnerability to HIV infection and impact. This is compounded by a lack of functional, representative organisations to convey the concerns of marginalised female traders to local government. It is likely that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in informal markets in Durban is high. However, stigma and discrimination has prevented widespread disclosure. The vulnerability of women and the impact of HIVIAIDS on their enterprises and .local economic development IS recognised by staff working at street level, but not by key decision makers. This, In conjunction with the marginalisation of the sector as a whole, has influenced the lack of progress in developing a co-ordinated multidisciplinary response to HIV/AIDS among informal workers. Few interventions which directly address HIV/AIDS have been put in place in the informal workplace, largely because of a lack of understanding of the crisis; its conceptualisation as a health issue only; and the fixed location of local government's response within the health department. Acknowledging the resource and capacity constraints within local government, the study concludes by outlining a series of realistic potential interventions which can be mainstreamed within the standard functions of local government. A shift in thinking is required to conceptualise AIDS as a workplace issue, and recognjse the significance of its economic impact. Women traders need to be considered as valuable and vulnerable workers, as well as mothers and carers and therefore as an important group for targeted HIV/AIDS interventions. The study calls for gender-sensitive measures to be implemented, whjch recognise the specific needs and constraints of women in the informal trade sector.


Objective To study the expression of tau-related protein in spinal cord of Chinese patients with Alzheimer's disease. Methods Gallays-Braak stain and immunohistochemical study for tau protein (AT8) were carried out in the spinal cord tissue (T2, T8, T10, L2 and S2 segments) of 3 Chinese patients with Alzheimer's disease. Seven age-matched cases without evidence of dementia or neurologic disease were used as controls. Results Neurofibrillary tangles were identified in the neurons of anterior horn in 2 Alzheimer's disease cases but none was observed in the controls. Tau-positive axons and astroglia were detected in all Alzheimer's disease cases. Tau immunoreactivity in spinal cord of the patients correlated with that in brain tissue. Conclusion The expression of tau-related protein is demonstrated in the spinal cord of Alzheimer's disease patients suggesting that axonal transport defect may play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Key words:
Alzheimer disease;  Spinal cord diseases;  tau Proteins;  Axonal transport


Motivation is a fundamental concept in understanding people's experiences and behavior. Yet, motivation to engage with an interactive system has received only limited attention in HCI. We report the development and validation of the User Motivation Inventory (UMI). The UMI is an 18-item multidimensional measure of motivation, rooted in self-determination theory (SDT). It is designed to measure intrinsic motivation, integrated, identified, introjected, and external regulation, as well as amotivation. Results of two studies (total N = 941) confirm the six-factor structure of the UMI with high reliability, as well as convergent and discriminant validity of each subscale. Relationships with core concepts such as need satisfaction, vitality, and usability were studied. Additionally, the UMI was found to detect differences in motivation for people who consider abandoning a technology compared to those who do not question their use. The central role of motivation in users' behavior and experience is discussed.


RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BASIC SANITATION AND INCOME OF
PARENTS WITH DIARRHEA RATE IN THE WORK AREA OF
PUSKESMAS KEDURUS SURABAYA
I Made LismaAndita*
*Student of Doctor Education Study Program.
Faculty of Medicine Universitas Wijaya Kusuma Surabaya.

ABSTRACT
Diarrhea is one of the main causes of childhood mortality and morbidity in the
world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) diarrhea is the second
disease that causes death in children. Approximately 1.7 million cases of diarrhea are
found every year in the world. Diarrhea is an environmentally based disease. Several
factors related to the occurrence of one of them are basic. The purpose of this research
is to know the correlation between cases that occur in toddler in work area of
puskesmas Kedurus Surabaya. This research is analytic observational with cross
sectional approach. The research population is toddler in the work area at Kedurus
Public Health Center of Surabaya with total sample 66 respondents. Independent
variables are parent income, waste disposal, waste water disposal, while the dependent
variable is the incidence of diarrhea in infants. Data analysis using chi-square test with
significance level (α = 0,05). The results showed that there was relationship between
parent (P = 0,022) and waste disposal (P = 0,000) and waste water disposal (P = 0,031)
with diarrhea occurrence in toddler in work area of Health Center of Kedurus
Surabaya. It can be concluded from the elderly people who can greatly trigger the basic
transmission is already settled for families at risk of diarrhea children. It is hoped that
people will increase their knowledge. You can know how to prevent diarrhea with
PHBS. Health workers in collaboration with the Health Office do counseling to
motivate the community in basic sanitation procurement.


Material functions (density, specific heat, enthalpy, sonic velocity, viscosity, and thermal and electrical conductivities) of hydrogen and copper plasmas have been calculated for temperatures ranging from 5000 to 60 000 K and for pressures ranging from 1 to 104 atm (1 atm = 101.3 kPa). The equilibrium concentrations of various species are obtained using the method of minimization of Gibbs free energy, with Debye-Hückel corrections applied to the free energies of ionized species. Transport properties have been calculated using the Chapman-Enskog method.


In recent years, members of the beta class of CAs (carbonic anhydrases) have been shown to complement Delta NCE103, a yeast strain unable to grow under aerobic conditions. The activity required for complementation of Delta NCE103 by tobacco chloroplast CA was studied by site-directed mutagenesis. E196A (Glu196-->Ala), a mutated tobacco CA with low levels of CA activity, complemented Delta NCE103. To determine whether restoration of Delta NCE103 was due to residual levels of CA activity or whether it was related to previously proposed antioxidant activity of CAs [Götz, Gnann and Zimmermann (1999) Yeast 15, 855-864], additional complementation analysis was performed using human CAII, an alpha CA structurally unrelated to the beta class of CAs to which the tobacco protein belongs. Human CAII complemented Delta NCE103, strongly arguing that CA activity is responsible for the complementation of Delta NCE103. Consistent with this conclusion, recombinant NCE103 synthesized in Escherichia coli shows CA activity, and Delta NCE103 expressing the tobacco chloroplast CA exhibits the same sensitivity to H2O2 as the wild-type strain.


Dermatophyte infection is the fourth commonest skin disorder seen in the National Skin Centre in Singapore. A prospective study was carried out from June 1990 to March 1991 to determine the epidemiology and pattern of dermatophyte infections seen in this centre. Two hundred patients who had a clinical diagnosis of dermatophyte infection and confirmed by direct microscopy were included into the study. Cultures for dermatophyte were done on Sabouraud's dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide. There were 148 male and 52 female patients, of whom 146 (73%) had a positive culture from one or more sites. One hundred and thirty-nine (95.2%) patients had dermatophyte infection while the remaining seven (4.8%) patients had non-dermatophyte infection. The sites involved were the groin (92 patients), feet (52 patients), trunk (26 patients), hands (18 patients), face (9 patients), legs (9 patients), scalp (8 patients) and axilla (7 patients). The commonest dermatophyte isolated was Trichophyton rubrum (81/139). It was also the commonest organism isolated in all the sites except the scalp. The other dermatophytes grown were, in order of frequency, Trichophyton interdigitale (21/139), Epidermophyton floccosum (19/139), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (9/139), Microsporum ferrigineum (4/139), Microsporum canis (4/139) and Microsporum gypseum (1/139). Scalp infections occurred in children and were due either to Microsporum canis or Microsporum ferrigineum. The organisms isolated in our study were either ubiquitous or common in the Asia-Pacific region indicating that certain dermatophytes are more prevalent in certain geographical regions.


One of the ironies of hedge fund investing is that investors can provide conflicting incentives to the hedge fund manager. While hedge fund managers earn a management fee, which is a constant percentage applied to the amount of assets managed in the hedge fund, they receive an incentive fee, which is a form of profit sharing when a profitable return is earned for their investors. The standard Black-Scholes analysis is used to determine the value of the call option on hedge fund incentives. The article also discusses how this call option might provide an inconsistent incentive compared to the desires of investors in the hedge fund.


Caring for offspring is energetically expensive, and when the costs of care are sufficiently high, the use of cost-reducing strategies can be favored. Such strategies may include the avoidance of nest construction through nest take-over and the restoration of depleted energy reserves through offspring cannibalism. Despite extensive theoretical and empirical work on parental care, neither the actual energetic costs of care nor the putative benefits of cost-reducing strategies have been systematically measured. Using plainfin midshipman fish, Porichthys notatus, we assessed how energy reserves of caring parents varied with duration of care, offspring cannibalism, and nest take-overs. We show that liver glycogen and lipid contents declined by 58% and 18.7%, respectively, that liver investment (measured via a hepatosomatic index) declined by 32.6%, and that muscle protein content declined by 8.8%. Other measures of body condition and energy reserves, such as hepatic glucose and adenosine triphosphate, remained stable over the extraordinarily long care period (3 months). Experimentally starved fish showed depletions of energy stores similar to caring fish. Fish that took over nests or that cannibalized eggs both had higher glycogen reserves than fish that did not adopt these strategies. These findings show that even when parental care is energetically costly, starvation may not be the dominant driving factor behind parent–offspring cannibalism.


Abstract
Following an intraperitoneal injection of tritiated thymidine to neonatal mice, livers and spleens were removed and their labelling indices were derived autoradiographically. This was done in a number of ways: (1) from tissue imprints on gelatinised glass slides; (2) from tissue embedded in JB4 plastic sectioned at thicknesses of 2, 5 and 7 micron; and (3) from tissue embedded in paraffin wax and sectioned at 7 micron. The results show that the indices from the JB4 embedded sections increase as the section thickness decreases, and that this relationship persists down to the notional section thickness of zero in the tissue imprints (in which all the cells are in contact with the autoradiographic emulsion). Indices from the 7 micron paraffin wax embedded sections are surprisingly close to the values from the imprints, are higher than indices from the 5 and 7 micron JB4 embedded sections, and are not significantly different (at the 2% level) from those from 2 micron JB4 embedded sections. Possible reasons for these results are discussed in respect of the autoradiographic process and in relationship to various mathematical correction factors which have been proposed to take account of beta-particle self-absorption in thick sections. It is concluded that none of these correction factors is of value and that the embedding medium has an important effect on the observed labelling indices. Comparisons between labelling indices, therefore, should be made only when they are derived from similarly embedded material at the same section thickness.


At the stage of design load analysis for offshore installations such as wave energy systems, a critical step is the determination of environmental cases to be evaluated for the definition of the characteristic design load. A commonly used methodology for load case selection, applied in multiple studies and recommended by technical specifications and guidelines, is the environmental contour approach. Here, 50-year environmental contours were generated for four study sites located in the North Sea, Skagerrak and the Baltic Sea by considering both observations and hindcast (model) data. For the construction of the contours, the well-established inverse first-order method (I-FORM) and a modified version using principal component analysis (PCA) were both examined. Furthermore, a 2-dimensional peaks-over-threshold (2D POT) method was evaluated. It was found that a version of the regular I-FORM was able to produce satisfactory contours which properly accounted for the highest waves. When using PCA, the dependency in the data was not properly captured by the probability functions under consideration. The 2D POT method, where applicable, was found to underestimate the extreme sea states. Comparisons between contours obtained from observations and hindcast data showed that the contours may differ substantially depending on the site and method, and thus care must be exercised when using hindcast data for such purposes.


PURPOSE
To assess patient safety outcomes in small urban and small rural hospitals and to examine the relationship of hospital and patient factors to patient safety outcomes.

METHODS
The Nationwide Inpatient Sample and American Hospital Association annual survey data were used for analyses. To increase comparability, the study sample was restricted to hospitals with fewer than 100 beds. Out of 292 hospitals in the sample, 185 were rural hospitals and 107 were urban hospitals. AHRQ Patient Safety Indicators (PSI) were used to examine 9 common patient safety outcomes at these hospitals. The unit of analysis was the patient. Associations between hospital location and patient and hospital characteristics were determined using 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson chi-square test. Multivariable analysis using generalized estimating equation regression models assessed the relationship between hospital location and PSIs.

RESULTS
Most of the observed rates for the 9 PSIs were higher (indicating worse outcomes) for small urban hospitals than for small rural hospitals. In the multivariable analyses, after adjusting for important patient and hospital characteristics, many of these differences disappeared, except for decubitus ulcer. Small urban hospitals had significantly higher odds for decubitus ulcer than small rural hospitals.

CONCLUSION
These results deviate from findings in the literature that urban-rural differences in patient safety rates exist. This study highlights the importance of understanding the factors that differ between small urban and small rural hospitals while developing hospital-relevant patient safety interventions at these hospitals.


Abstract In this study, two methods of entering and accessing dairy herd records are compared: the traditional mail-in Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) system and the Direct Access to Records by Telephone (DART) system, which provides more timely and convenient access to records. An evaluation of DART was carried out using mail survey responses from 117 DART users and telephone surveys of 40 randomly selected users. Results indicate that DART users are generally satisfied with the system and feel that it improves their herd management. Variations in use of the DART system by DART users are explained by herd, cost, and management variables. DART users and comparable non-DART, DHI users are compared with respect to gains in herd production efficiency. Results indicate that DART users made somewhat better gains in most efficiency measures but that the differences were generally not statistically significant.


Abstract Nonparametric inference for functional data over two-dimensional domains entails additional computational and statistical challenges, compared to the one-dimensional case. Separability of the covariance is commonly assumed to address these issues in the densely observed regime. Instead, we consider the sparse regime, where the latent surfaces are observed only at few irregular locations with additive measurement error, and propose an estimator of covariance based on local linear smoothers. Consequently, the assumption of separability reduces the intrinsically four-dimensional smoothing problem into several two-dimensional smoothers and allows the proposed estimator to retain the classical minimax-optimal convergence rate for two-dimensional smoothers. Even when separability fails to hold, imposing it can be still advantageous as a form of regularization. A simulation study reveals a favorable bias-variance tradeoff and massive speed-ups achieved by our approach. Finally, the proposed methodology is used for qualitative analysis of implied volatility surfaces corresponding to call options, and for prediction of the latent surfaces based on information from the entire dataset, allowing for uncertainty quantification. Our cross-validated out-of-sample quantitative results show that the proposed methodology outperforms the common approach of pre-smoothing every implied volatility surface separately. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.


: We present 20 cases of laparoscopically assisted colon resection. Ten patients were operated on for various benign lesions of the large bowel, and the remaining 10 for malignancy. Three fourths of the patients were over 65 years of age. The operative technique described herein involved laparoscopic mobilization of the colon and then its delivery through a relatively small incision through the anterior abdominal wall. Direct mobilization of the segment of bowel containing the malignant lesion was usually accomplished via the accessary incision made directly over the lesion. After eviscerating the specimen onto the abdominal wall, the involved segment of large intestine was resected along with its accompanying mesentery. The anastomosis was done by conventional linear stapling devices. No operative-related mortality occurred. Postoperative nasogastric tube suction was required in only one patient. Return of gastrointestinal function occurred an average of 2.5 days after the surgery. Average postoperative hospital stay was less than 5 days.


Functionalization of CNFs with silane coupling agents (SCAs) has been studied in this work. APS silane has been used in order to study the influence of temperature and reaction time on the silanization process. Thermal analysis and surface area measurements have revealed that reaction times higher than 1 min. and temperature reaction higher than 25°C do not increase the amount of adsorbed silane on CNFs surface. Silanization process carried with different SCAs (APS, AMO, DMO and GMO) has allowed the study of the concentration and silane structure influence. It has been observed that differences in SCA adsorption are related to the silane structure. Aminosilanes APS and AMO show a very similar behaviour because they have the same functional group. However, the diaminosilane DMO shows lower interaction with CNFs surface due to the length of the diamine chain, that avoid further silane adsorption on the coated CNFs surface. The epoxysilane GMO shows a similar behaviour to other SCAs at low concentrations, while for high silane concentrations epoxysilane GMO forms multilayers.


In this letter we present an analysis of workload in a real video on demand service with the objective of generating more accurate input data for simulation models. As well as statistically characterizing key aspects in the server workload of the multimedia system, we consider their statistical dependencies.We propose a procedure to generate multivariate distributions using normal copulas in the video on demand system. Results show that the proposed method fits exactly the statistical distributions to the empirical data and matches the real correlation coefficients matrix.


The permeability of beta-carotene-pigmented lecithin multibilayer was studied under the effect of monochromatic illumination for O2 in media with various ionic composition. It is shown that illumination of film within the 400 to 500 nm wavelengths causes a decrease in the permeability of the multibilayer for O2. The effect of light depends on the cation type. Hydration of the multilbilayer within the NaCl solution recovers the permeability of the system after switching of the light. In CaC12 solutions the light reaction is more pronounced but after the light switching off there is no the reversible recovery of the permeability for O2.


Over the past decade, the global response to the HIV epidemic has been unprecedented, and enormous progress has been made. Significant investment in the roll out of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and efforts to increase treatment coverage have greatly reduced the number of AIDS-related deaths worldwide. There are a growing number of promising innovations to expand the HIV prevention mix. However, the reach of these interventions is still very limited in adolescent girls and young women (15–24 years) and the full realisation of the intervention mandates has not yet been achieved. The HIV prevention field has been criticised for the tendency to adopt a narrow focus. The Fast-Track Strategy offers a unique opportunity for the HIV prevention field to broaden its gaze and to begin to identify synergies (and efficiencies) with prevention approaches from other global development priorities, namely sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). This paper applies a SRHR lens to HIV prevention by highlighting the critical relationship between unintended pregnancy and HIV, and seeks to expand on earlier debates that prevention of HIV and prevention of unintended pregnancy are inextricably linked, complementary activities with interrelated and common goals. We call for the prioritisation of prevention of unintended pregnancy amongst two overlapping population groups — girls and young women (15–24 years old) and women living with HIV — as a key tactic to accomplish the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Fast-Track Strategy and as a way to fully realise existing HIV prevention efforts. We discuss the intersecting pathways between HIV prevention and unintended pregnancy prevention and build a case for contraception to be placed at the centre of the HIV prevention agenda.


The 67th World Health Assembly in Geneva closed its session on 24 May 2014 after adopting more than 20 resolutions on public health issues of global importance, including antimicrobial drug resistance, access to medicines and health technology assessment.

On antimicrobial drug resistance, delegates expressed their growing concern of antimicrobial resistance and urged governments to strengthen national action and international collaboration. This requires sharing information on the extent of resistance and the use of antibiotics in humans and animals. It also involves improving awareness among health providers and the public of the threat posed by resistance, the need for responsible use of antibiotics, and the importance of good hand hygiene and other measures to prevent infections.

The resolution urges Member States to strengthen drug management systems, to support research for extending the lifespan of existing drugs, and to encourage the development of new diagnostics and treatment options.

As requested in the resolution, WHO will develop a draft global action plan to combat antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance for presentation to the World Health Assembly for approval next year.

On access to medicines, the World Health Assembly approved WHO's strategy to help countries improve access to essential medicines. Key principles include selecting a limited range of medicines on the basis of the best evidence available, efficient procurement, affordable prices, effective distribution systems and rational use. WHO essential medicines list was recognised as a valuable tool that enables countries to identify a core set of medicines which need to be available for providing quality medical care.

On regulatory system strengthening, the World Health Assembly mandated WHO to continue its important role globally in medicine regulation through establishing necessary norms and standards, supporting regulatory capacity-building and strengthening safety monitoring programmes.

Regarding health technology assessment, following the adoption of a resolution, WHO will support capacity-building …


ABSTRACT: The maturation of the process of spontaneous recovery from hypoxic apnea by gasping (autoresuscitation) was characterized in adult, weanling (18-22 d), and infant (5 and 10 d) BALB/c mice. ECG and respiration were recorded and hypoxic apnea was induced with 97% N2-3% CO2. Administration of 21% O2 at onset of hypoxic apnea resulted in successful autoresuscitation in all 63 animals tested. In all mice, three sequential stages occurred: 1) gasping with marked bradycardia, 2) rapid increase in heart rate (cardiac resuscitation), and 3) increase in respiratory rate (respiratory resuscitation). Despite these similar stages, marked maturational differences were apparent. The times to cardiac and respiratory resuscitation were longer in the pups than in the older mice, whereas the gasp frequency before cardiac resuscitation was lower in the infants. Resuscitation time correlated with gasp interval (1/gasp frequency). In addition, the initial bradycardia at onset of gasping was more pronounced in the pups. A 30- or 60-s delay in oxygen administration after onset of hypoxic apnea caused a marked decrease in the adults' ability to autoresuscitate, without affecting that of the pups. A comparison of gasp frequency in 21% O2 versus 97% N2-3% CO2 showed that the presence of oxygen increased gasp frequency in the pups, but had no effect on gasp frequency in the weanlings or adults. We conclude that autoresuscitation is equally effective in both infant and adult BALB/c mice but only when oxygen is available before the onset of hypoxic gasping. Accordingly, the adult's ability to autoresuscitate rapidly can be viewed as an adaptation required by a limited tolerance for prolonged hypoxia. In contrast, it appears that the infant mouse's greater tolerance of hypoxia allows a slower autoresuscitation with a lower heart rate and gasp frequency. This conserves energy, thus facilitating prolonged survival and enabling recovery when O2 availability is delayed.


A tool flow is presented for deriving simulated annealing accelerator circuits on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) from C source code by exploring architecture solutions that conform to a preset template through scheduling and mapping algorithms. A case study carried out on simulated annealing-based Autonomous Mission Planning and Scheduling (AMPS) software used for autonomous spacecraft systems is explained. The goal of the research is an automated method for the derivation of a hardware design that maximizes performance while minimizing the FPGA footprint. Results obtained are compared with a peer C to register transfer level (RTL) logic tool, a state-of-the-art space-borne embedded processor and a commodity desktop processor for a variety of problems. The automatically derived hardware circuits consistently outperform other methods by one or more orders of magnitude.


The formation of protein complexes between phosphorylated R-Smads and Smad4 is a central event in the TGF-beta signaling pathway. We have determined the crystal structure of two R-Smad/Smad4 complexes, Smad3/Smad4 to 2.5 angstroms, and Smad2/Smad4 to 2.7 angstroms. Both complexes are heterotrimers, comprising two phosphorylated R-Smad subunits and one Smad4 subunit, a finding that was corroborated by isothermal titration calorimetry and mutational studies. Preferential formation of the R-Smad/Smad4 heterotrimer over the R-Smad homotrimer is largely enthalpy driven, contributed by the unique presence of strong electrostatic interactions within the heterotrimeric interfaces. The study supports a common mechanism of Smad protein assembly in TGF-beta superfamily signaling.


Viral safety remains a challenge when processing a plasma‐derived product. A variety of pathogens might be present in the starting material, which requires a downstream process capable of broad viral reduction. In this article, we used a wide panel of viruses to assess viral removal/inactivation of our downstream process for Snake Antivenom Immunoglobulin (SAI). First, we screened and excluded equine plasma that cross‐reacted with any model virus, a procedure not published before for antivenoms. In addition, we evaluated for the first time the virucidal capacity of phenol applied to SAI products. Among the steps analyzed in the process, phenol addition was the most effective one, followed by heat, caprylic acid, and pepsin. All viruses were fully inactivated only by phenol treatment; heat, the second most effective step, did not inactivate the rotavirus and the adenovirus used. We therefore present a SAI downstream method that is cost‐effective and eliminates viruses to the extent required by WHO for a safe product. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:972–979, 2013


PSR J1744-3922 is a binary pulsar exhibiting highly variable pulsed radio emission. We report on a statistical multifrequency study of the pulsed radio flux variability which suggests that this phenomenon is extrinsic to the pulsar and possibly tied to the companion, although not strongly correlated with orbital phase. The pulsar has an unusual combination of characteristics compared to typical recycled pulsars: a long spin period (172 ms); a relatively high magnetic field strength (1.7 × 1010 G); a very circular, compact orbit of 4.6 hr; and a low-mass companion (0.08 M☉). These spin and orbital properties are likely inconsistent with standard evolutionary models. We find similarities between the properties of the PSR J1744-3922 system and those of several other known binary pulsar systems, motivating the identification of a new class of binary pulsars. We suggest that this new class could result from: a standard accretion scenario of a magnetar or a high magnetic field pulsar; common envelope evolution with a low-mass star and a neutron star, similar to what is expected for ultracompact X-ray binaries; or accretion induced collapse of a white dwarf. We also report the detection of a possible K′ = 19.30(15) infrared counterpart at the position of the pulsar, which is relatively bright if the companion is a helium white dwarf at the nominal distance, and discuss its implications for the pulsar's companion and evolutionary history.


BACKGROUND
 Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation is a core competence and can make a significant difference to patient outcomes. However, ECG interpretation is a complex skill to learn, and research has showed that students often lack enough competence. Web-based learning has been shown to be effective. However, little is known regarding why and how students use Web-based learning when offered in a blended learning situation.

 OBJECTIVE
 The aim of this paper was to study students' use of Web-based ECG learning resources which has not previously been studied in relation to study strategies.

 METHODS
 A qualitative explanatory design using mixed methods was adopted to explore how medical students reason around their choice to use or not to use a Web-based ECG learning resource. Overall, 15 of 33 undergraduate medical students attending a course in clinical medicine were interviewed. Data on usage of the resource were obtained via the learning management system for all students. At the final examination, all the students answered a questionnaire on study strategies and questions about internet access and estimated their own skills in ECG interpretation. Furthermore, study strategies and use patterns were correlated with results from an ECG Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and a written course examination.

 RESULTS
 In total, 2 themes were central in the students' reasoning about usage of Web-based ECG: assessment of learning needs and planning according to learning goals. Reasons for using the Web resource were to train in skills, regarding it as a valuable complement to books and lectures. The main reasons for not using the resource were believing they already had good enough skills and a lack of awareness of its availability. Usage data showed that 21 students (63%) used the Web resource. Of these, 11 were minimal users and 10 were major users based on usage activity. Large variations were found in the time spent in different functional parts of the resource. No differences were found between users and nonusers regarding the OSCE score, final examination score, self-estimate of knowledge, or favoring self-regulated learning.

 CONCLUSIONS
 To use or not to use a Web-based ECG learning resource is largely based on self-regulated learning aspects. Decisions to use such a resource are based on multifactorial aspects such as experiences during clinical rotations, former study experiences, and perceived learning needs. The students' own judgment of whether there was a need for a Web-based resource to achieve the learning goals and to pass the examination was crucial for their decisions to use it or not. An increased understanding of students' regulation of learning and awareness of variations in their ECG learning needs can contribute to the improvement of course design for blended learning of ECG contexts for medical students.


Report of a meeting of the Mineral Deposits Studies Group held on 15–16 December 1986, at the University of Southampton. The meeting included a thematic session on fluid inclusions which is reported elsewhere in this volume. Six presentations encompassed epithermal or volcanic-hosted precious-metal deposits and mineralized breccias. The Tambo deposit, near El Indio in Chile, was described by Bernard as a typical hot spring system with bedded sulphates, sulphate sinters, explosion breccias and native sulphur o sulphur overlying hydrothermal breccias and veins. Gold occurred as relatively coarse grains in the silicified wallrocks and also finely dispersed throughout barite. Mixing of ascending auriferous fluids with near-surface acid-sulphate waters was postulated to explain the mineral paragenesis. A similar mixing model was presented by Redwood to account for the disseminated and vein-type Au–Ag–Cu–Pb–Zn mineralization of the Altiplano in Bolivia. The mineralization was associated with silicic flow-dome complexes, and high-K calc-alkaline and shoshonitic magmatism; oxygen and hydrogen isotope data indicated an important magmatic input to the hydrothermal system. A silver-dominated vein-type mineralization comprising silver sulphosalts, native silver, argentite, minor sulphides, calcite, and baryte at Caracoles, northern Chile, was described by Fontbote, Schmidt & Flint, who emphasized the localization of high-grade ore at the intrusive contact between a porphyritic granite and bituminous siltstones and limestones. The role of decompressive shock and hydraulic decrepitation in the generation of hydrothermal breccias and lodes was reviewed by Halls & Allman-Ward. Mineralized hydromagmatic breccias of Hercynian age were identified as the source of the gold


Innovation, mark-ups and the degree of trade openness vary substantially across sectors. This paper builds a multi-sector endogenous growth model to study the influence that asymmetric trade liberalization and sectorial differences in the degree of product market competition has on the effect of trade openness on R&D investments at a firm level. I find that differences in the degree of competition generate large differences on firm innovative response to trade liberalization. A movement from autarky to free trade promotes innovation and productivity growth in those sectors which are initially less competitive. However, when the initial tariff level is common across sectors, a homogeneous tariff reduction promotes innovation in those sectors which are initially more competitive. The paper suggests that trade liberalization could be a source of industry productivity divergence: firms that are located in industries with greater exposure to foreign trade, invest a greater amount in R&D contributing to industry productivity growth. Finally the paper finds that these asymmetries generate important reallocative effects that contribute to enlarge these differences.


Nowadays, Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices generate data at high speed and large volume. Often the data require real-time processing to support high system responsiveness which can be supported by localised Cloud and/or Fog computing paradigms. However, there are considerably large deployments of IoT such as sensor networks in remote areas where Internet connectivity is sparse, challenging the localised Cloud and/or Fog computing paradigms. With the advent of the Raspberry Pi, a credit card-sized single board computer, there is a great opportunity to construct low-cost, low-power portable cloud to support real-time data processing next to IoT deployments. In this paper, we extend our previous work on constructing Raspberry Pi Cloud to study its feasibility for real-time big data analytics under realistic application-level workload in both native and virtualised environments. We have extensively tested the performance of a single node Raspberry Pi 2 Model B with httperf and a cluster of 12 nodes with Apache Spark and HDFS (Hadoop Distributed File System). Our results have demonstrated that our portable cloud is useful for supporting real-time big data analytics. On the other hand, our results have also unveiled that overhead for CPU-bound workload in virtualised environment is surprisingly high, at 67.2%. We have found that, for big data applications, the virtualisation overhead is fractional for small jobs but becomes more significant for large jobs, up to 28.6%.


Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry of oil inclusions from the ca. 1430 Ma marine Roper Group in the Roper Superbasin, Australia, provides a new source of information about the early biosphere and Proterozoic petroleum systems. Oil most likely derived from an overlying shale was trapped at ∼60 °C as abundant oil inclusions within transgranular microfractures in detrital quartz during Mesoproterozoic basin inversion. The oil is very mature and has a wide range of biomarkers, derived mainly from cyanobacteria, but lacks eukaryote biomarkers. Unlike associated solid bitumens, the inclusion oil is nonbiodegraded. Evidently, the inclusions remained closed systems, sheltered from postentrapment alteration and contamination. Because fluid inclusions have preserved biomarkers for >1000 m.y., they constrain the diversity of primordial ecosystems, whereas other forms of early Precambrian organic matter are usually absent or metamorphosed.


The scope of this paper is to present the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) transient flow simulations of a centrifugal compressor stage with cavities at design point and at off design conditions. The cavities are included in the CFD model for several reasons. First the leakage flows and the windage effects are important to predict the absolute performance level of the stage (efficiency). Secondly the cavities also play an important role in the generation of the aerodynamic forcing on the impeller as well as in the prediction of the aerodynamic damping. The Time Transformation method, an extension of the time inclining method, is used in this work. The ability of the method to predict the impeller/diffuser interactions and cavity unsteady pressure response at design point and at off-design conditions is discussed. The respective contributions of the diffuser and impeller blade passages on pressure fluctuation amplitude and frequency content are studied.


A wind measurement mast has been erected to determine the wind potential of north eastern coast of Lake Van located in Mamedik wind corridor. Yuzuncu Yil University campus is also located in this area. Wind speed sensors are installed at 10 m and 30 m above ground level (AGL) and a wind vane at 30 m. The wind and meteorological parameters have been measured for a period of 28 months from 19 March 2004 till 31 July 2007. The measured data have been analyzed by using WAsP software and wind power potential has been assessed for the site under consideration.


A comprehensive numerical model for internal ballistic simulation under dynamic flow, combustion and structural vibration conditions is used to investigate the effectiveness of grain port area transitions of a reference solid rocket motor as a means for suppression of axial combustion instability symptoms. Modification of the propellant grain geometry is one of several traditional means for suppressing symptoms in actual motors. With respect to these symptoms, individual transient simulation runs show the evolution of the axial pressure wave and associated DC shift for the given grain geometry, as initiated by a given pressure disturbance. Limit pressure wave magnitudes are collected for a number of simulation runs for different grain area transition positions, steepness and aspect ratios, and mapped on an attenuation trend chart. Effects of acceleration, through structural vibration of the propellant surface, on the combustion process are investigated, and their influence on the effectiveness of grain area transitions is examined. With or without acceleration/vibrations effects included, the numerical results produced in this study confirm the significant ability of a grain area transition to suppress combustion instability symptoms.


The pion production at mid-rapidity in gold–gold collisions at (s)1/2 = 200 GeV is investigated by the parton recombination model. The density of the hot medium produced in the collisions and the hard parton energy loss effect are obtained by fitting the experimental data. Both of them are found to have power-law dependence on the number of binary collisions. The implication of such dependence on the nuclear modification factor is discussed.


ABSTRACT The Gulf States have dedicated much attention and many resources to entrepreneurship, particularly in supporting women entrepreneurship. These efforts are reflected in the increase in research focused on women entrepreneurs in the Gulf States. The vast majority of relevant studies have explored the reasons for the low engagement of women in the economic sphere. Recent works have shifted attention to the agency of women entrepreneurs. However, most of the literature has applied Western epistemology without challenging and unpacking the unique contextual dimensions that influence women's entrepreneurial activities in the Gulf States. This study thus systematically reviews the literature on women entrepreneurship in the Gulf States, increases the understanding of how these women are 'doing context' by discussing three different conceptualizations of how they enact and do context in the Gulf States, and proposes future research avenues for developing context-specific epistemologies.


The London School of Economics and Political Science has embraced the full range of the social sciences and its related disciplines. Contributors to this book were invited to write on the subject of freedom. The volume is an exemplary reflection of the variety, the individuality, the different interests, and the range of assumptions found in the scholars of the LSE. The authors come from varied backgrounds--linguistics, mathematics, computer science, sociology, geography, economics, industrial relations, anthropology, political science. They provide a stimulating array of viewpoints on the universally discussed issue of freedom


Germination of Rhizopus oligosporus sporangiospores is characterized by swelling of the spores and subsequent emergence of germ tubes. Changes in spore morphology and alterations in intracellular pH (pH(infin)) of the sporangiospores were assessed during the germination process by flow cytometry. Sporangiospores were stained with carboxyfluorescein by incubation with carboxyfluorescein diacetate. The nonfluorescent carboxyfluorescein diacetate is passively transported into intact cells and subsequently cleaved by esterases, which results in intracellular accumulation of the fluorescent carboxyfluorescein. Given that the fluorescence of carboxyfluorescein is pH dependent, the pH(infin) of the individual spores could be assessed simultaneously with spore size. For R. oligosporus, swelling of the sporangiospores was accompanied by an increase of pH(infin). In the presence of nonanoic acid, a self-inhibitor produced by various fungi, increase of the pH(infin) was prevented and swelling was inhibited at concentrations of less than 1 mM. Octanoic acid and decanoic acid were equally effective. Acetic acid also inhibited germination but at much higher concentrations (>8 mM). The mechanism of action of these fatty acids is most likely dissipation of the pH gradient. A model is proposed in which the pH(infin) plays a crucial role in the germination of R. oligosporus sporangiospores.


Fertilisation with nutrient optimisation has in Sweden resulted in large increases in volume growth in young stands of Norway spruce. There are, however, environmental concerns about repeated fertilisation and one is the risk of nutrient leakage to ground water resources and aquatic ecosystems after clear-cutting of such forests. The present study followed soil-water chemistry in optimised fertilised stands after clear-cutting, as well as effects of harvest of slash on nutrient leakage. Parts of a 30-year-old stand of Norway spruce, which had been subject to a nutrient optimisation experiment for 17 years, were clear-cut. A split-plot design with whole-tree harvesting as the subplot treatment was applied. Lysimeters were installed and soil-water sampled at nine occasions during the following four years. No significant effects of fertilisation on nitrate leaching were found, while harvest of slash affected the concentration of Ca, DOC, DON, K, Mg, ammonium and nitrate, as well as pH in the soil solution. While no effects of fertilisation could be seen on the soil water concentration of N, the results indicate an interaction between fertilisation and harvest of slash on the concentration of nitrate in the soil solution. The results indicate that forest-floor vegetation plays an important role in the retention of N after clear-cutting of fertilised forests.


The authors use a consistent set of input data to estimate the air-sea flux of CO2 from six different seawater pCO2 interpolation products for the period 1988-2018. They then fill in the missing areas in these data products using a scaled estimate of the air-sea CO2 flux from a recent data-based interpolation. The authors make two claims about the results: (i) that this methodology provides a consistent method for computing global air-sea CO2 fluxes from seawater pCO2 products, and that using this consistent methodology allows for improved intercomparison between the air-sea fluxes computed by difference seawater pCO2 products, and (ii) that this methodology leads to improved estimates of the global air-sea CO2 flus as well as reducing the uncertainty in the global air-sea CO2 flux.


The ultimate objective of the Ghana ICT for Accelerated Development (ICT4AD) is to: 'accelerate Ghana's socio-economic development process towards the realization of the vision to transform Ghana into a high income economy and society that is predominately information-rich and knowledge-based within the next two to three decades or less. A proposed unified information technology acceptance research model called Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was used. The model integrates significant elements across eight prominent user acceptance models and formulates a unique measure with core determinants of user behavioural intention and usage. This paper presents findings of a study that validates the UTAUT model in the subject of the user acceptance towards an educational technology. In this study, a total of 262 respondents from two medical schools in Ghana were surveyed for their acceptance of e-learning technologies. The results of the study provide an exploratory factor analysis of the model, demonstrate satisfactory reliable and valid scales of the model constructs, and suggest further analysis to confirm the model as a valuable tool to evaluate the user acceptance of an information technology.


Oxygen isotope stratigraphy was established, and various geochemical and mineralogical
investigations were performed on Mid-Atlantic ridge crest sediments at 37-39°N in the vicinity
of the Lucky Strike and Menez Gwen hydrothermal sites, in order to characterize sediment
sources in time and space and to describe and quantify hydrothermal input in sediments.
Multivariate statistical analysis of geochemical data demonstrated that volcaniclastic,
ultramafic, detrital and hydrothermal sediment sources are present in addition to biogenic carbonate,
which dominates the chemical composition of most samples. The hydrothermal contribution
includes metals derived from hydrothermal solutions (Fe, Mn, Cu) and elements scavenged
from the water column by hydrothermal oxyhydroxides (P, V, As). The distribution of hydrothermal
factor scores and the pattern of metal accumulation rates suggest maximum hydrothermal
input at 3rN south of the Lucky Strike vent field, which may include contributions from
other presently undiscovered vent fields south of the area of the present study. Metal accumulation
rates are significantly higher than at abyssal plains remote from the ridge axis, and comparable
to other hydrothermally influenced environments. While the downcore distribution of
hydrothermal tracers was obviously modified by early diagenetic processes, time-integrated
average fluxes clearly indicate continuous hydrothermal influence in the study area at least down
to 55,000 years B.P ..
Barium appears to be dominantly of hydrothermal origin in sediments on the flanks of
the Lucky Strike seamount, where it may be derived from redeposited hydrothermal precipitates
containing abundant barite. A minor contribution of plume-derived fine-grained sulfides and
possibly barite may be present in distal sediments based on the occurrence of a cubic phase,
probably sphalerite, in gravity concentrates (>3.0g/cm1
). However, biogenic sources seem to
predominate in these sediments. Ba maxima, particularly during early Tennination I, were
tentatively interpreted as indicators of productivity spikes which could result from a combination
of incursions of cold surface water and enhanced terrigenous input.
An allochthonous chrysotile-dominated serpentine layer is intercalated within pclagic sediments
in a basin in the central part of the 38°05'N fracture zone. This material was derived
from alteration of ultramafic rocks and may represent a low-temperature hydrothermal deposit
associated with this rock type. It was apparently transported down the walls of the fracture zone
in this area of steep relief. Cr/Ni-ratios suggest an olivine-enriched protolith, which is in accord
with the results of previous petrologic studies of pcridotites at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and
related to the proximity of the Azores hot spot. The predominance of chrysotilc suggests that
serpentinization took place at temperatures <200°C. Smectite/chlorite mixed layer phases and
chlorite formed at the same or slightly higher temperatures. The accessory phases talc and
tremolite indicate greenschist facies conditions, which may have occurred prior to serpentinization
during a history of retrograde metamorphosis. Alternatively, talc and tremolite were
derived from another source area on the walls of the fracture zone.


An Ironman has two distances of 70.3 miles (known as a half-Ironman) or 140.6 miles (known as a full Ironman), but for the Ironman UK weekend in July, there has been an addition to the schedule. Iron Girl will be a 5 kilometre fun run marketed as being open to women of all abilities, yet limited to those of 16 years and over.

Iron Girl was originally launched in 2004 in the USA, but this is only the second time it has been incorporated in an Ironman UK event. Internationally, Iron Girl events come in different shapes and sizes, for example in the USA Iron Girl events have included half marathons, sprint triathlons and duathlons.

The announcement for the 5k Iron Girl was released in the same week that Jasmin Paris completed the monumental achievement of being the first woman to win the 268 miles Montane Spine Race, beating all the men and breaking the course record by 12 hours, whilst also expressing breast milk at aid stations. For some female athletes, the terminology Iron Girl may feel inclusive, however, for others, at a time when we have so many inspirational female athletic achievements and numerous females entering the Ironman competitions, it may seem incredibly patronising. Perhaps the divisive terminology of Iron Girl is the problem?

Although it is positive to see an increase in inclusive events and campaigns which aim to promote participation in physical and sporting activities, the use of the term 'girl' for events which are only open to women over the age of 16, could be seen as a way to infantilise women. At the same time as the Ironman is considered to be one of the hardest races in the world and a huge achievement to finish, the Iron Girl event in this context is a fun run at 67.2 miles shorter than the half Ironman, with only a running element. Additionally, there is also a lack of a shorter event for men: Iron Boy? Surely, to be fully inclusive, there should be male equivalent. Yet, it is highly unlikely that any sporting event advertised to males over the age of 16, would use the term 'boy'.

This all begs the question whether there is potential for a more generic inclusive starter event within the Ironman family such as Iron5K or Iron3.1?


The history of French broadcasting and the evolution of French politics have been intertwined for the past half-century, and can be divided into three main periods. In the 1960s, known as the decade of State television, the country's political machinery exerted tight control over broadcasting. However, as of 1968, when advertising was allowed on television, French broadcasting entered an era of commercialised State television. In 1982 the State monopoly on broadcasting was abolished and in 1986 private players were allowed to enter the broadcasting market. Today, broadcasting is apparently a dual public-private system, but in reality, it is dominated by one single private company.


Now from the AAP! Adolescent Medicine: State of the Art Reviews
 (formerly Adolescent Medicine Clinics) is the official publication of the AAP Section on Adolescent Health. This widely respected resource continues to deliver practice-focused, useful information you won't see anywhere else.
 Topics in Evaluation and Management include:
 Introduction to Interviewing: The Art of Communicating With Adolescents
 Interviewing the Adolescent With an Eating Disorder
 Talking With Adolescents and Their Families About Emotional and Behavioral Concerns
 Motivational Interviewing With Adolescents
 Motivational Interviewing and Sexual and Contraceptive Behaviors
 Helping Adolescents to Stop Using Drugs: The Role of the Primary Care Clinician
 Adherence in Adolescents: A Review of the Literature
 Communicating With Teens Living With Cancer
 Serologic Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in the Adolescent
 Pulmonary Function Testing
 And more!


A shift from production orientation to a service perspective has been occurring in business disciplines over more than a century. During the last decade, that shift has provoked the emergence of significant and fundamental changes in the traditional means of adding economic value. Those changes are pressuring academia to provide commensurate professional education. This paper examines important aspects of these advances and their implications for curriculum development.


Radio-tracking was used in monitoring the reintroduction of on-grown 2 year-old trout cod Maccullochella macquariensis (Percichthyidae) (a nationally endangered freshwater fish) in both a large and small upland river. Thirty-six radio-tagged M. macquariensis were stocked into a site in each of the Murrumbidgee and Cotter Rivers (Australian Capital Territory). Restricted dispersal occurred in both rivers, with both samples of M. macquariensis remaining within 5 km of the release site for the duration of the study. Mortality was rapid and 1 month after release 61 and 31% of the sample was alive in the Murrumbidgee and Cotter Rivers, respectively. In the Murrumbidgee River, complete mortality had occurred 6 months after release. An individual survived in the Cotter River until 7 months after release. Predation by cormorants Phalacrocorax spp. and predation or scavenging by the common water rat Hydromys chrysogaster were the probable causes of mortality. Predator-assisted movement of radio-tags by cormorants occurred in both groups and had the potential to confound interpretation of active dispersal movements.


The effects of additions on the microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of 0.42ZnNb2O6-0.58TiO2 (ZNT) ceramics were investigated systematically. The sintering temperature of ZNT ceramics doped with different amounts of CuO, Bi2O3 and V2O5 can be effectively reduced. The phase of doped samples was studied compared to the undoped ZNT ceramics. For densified ZNT ceramics with the increasing amount of dopant CuO-Bi2O3-V2O5, the dielectric constants (εr) of densified samples ranges from 38 to 42, the Q×f values decrease evidently and ranges from 13300 GHz to 5000 GHz and the τf values are shifted toward negative.


Studies show that trust has a significant impact on users' motivation, acceptance and willingness for e-commerce dealings. Existing literature investigates the role of trust in ecommerce environment within the conventional space but scarcely looks into the issue from the Islamic perspective. Considering that Muslim users constitute a relatively significant percentage of the whole online commerce community, it is pertinent to understand the concept of trust in the light of Shari'ah. Inability to satisfy religio-centric attitude of the Muslim internet users may bring negative consequences for the overall success of e-commerce environment. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to explore how to build online trust among Muslim users through an analysis of the essential requirements of e-commerce from the perspective of Islamic law of contract. The literature review covers empirical studies on the concept of trust, model of trust and Islamic law of contract. For the review, library research is employed by the means of investigating classical and contemporary literature to search for information on essential requirements underpinning e-commerce contracts. The study sheds light on some conditions related to offer and acceptance (form), buyer and seller (parties), and object and price (subject matter) of sale contracts concluded via online environment. An appraisal of these issues will justify the validity of e-commerce in Islamic law, thus enhancing the level of online trust among Muslim users. Drawing upon these discussions, a Shari'ah compliant model for online trust is proposed highlighting essential requirements of Islamic law of contract as variables for online trust.


Universities around the world have been readily embracing online technologies to make their courses more convenient for today's tech savvy gen Y students. However, such a change is often at the expense of the teaching staff as they are suddenly met with increased workload and the need to learn new technologies. Although student acceptance is often looked at, lecturers' acceptance is often ignored. It is important to gauge lecturers' acceptance of these online lecturing technologies as such technologies would be rendered useless if lecturers are not willing to accept and use them in their course. Hence, this study aims to examine the often ignored view from the lecturers' perspective by looking at the factors surrounding lecturer's acceptance of online media for lecturing purposes. Building on Davis's (1989) TAM model, Daft and Lengel's (1986) media richness theory and educational literature, this study will provide empirical evidence for the effects of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms, self efficacy, organisational support, lecturing styles and workload on the lecturers' choice to adopt usage of online video media. This paper reports the results of pilot study.


: Agricultural production/activities in Nigeria depends on rainfall, which often occurs only at certain times of the year and thus makes agriculture very susceptible to crop failure, insect infestation which causes poor returns on agricultural produce for farmers . Adoption of climate change mitigating strategies is key to coping with variations in weather conditions and the achievement of increased agricultural production and food security in Nigeria. This study analyzed the use of climatic adaptive measures among smallholder farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 200 respondents in the study area. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires and the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a regression model. The results showed that the most climatic adaptive methods adopted by the farmers were multiple cropping (90.0%) followed by mulching (62.50%), crop rotation (25.0%), and cover cropping (22.50%). According to the findings of the research, the farmers identified multiple cropping as the most suited climatic adaptive method to the farming system in the study area to avert the uncertainty associated with agriculture. The regression analysis showed that age, sex, marital status, household size, educational qualification, access to credit, agriculture extension contacts, membership of farmers groups/cooperatives, and monthly income influenced the adoption of the climatic adaptive measures by the smallholder farmers in the study area. Government and other agricultural stakeholders should therefore take steps to improve the climate resilience of smallholder farmers by building their capacity on multiple cropping.


There is a paucity in current literature about the level of patients' satisfaction and factors influencing it in Bangladesh health system. We aimed to measure the level of patients' satisfaction across different types and levels of healthcare facilities and to determine which factors influence this satisfaction level. A patient exit interview was carried out among 2207 patients attending selected health facilities in two administrative divisions of Bangladesh, namely Rajshahi and Sylhet. Information on healthcare experience and satisfaction with received care was collected through an electronic structured questionnaire. Information about 'overall satisfaction with healthcare' was collected on a 10-point scale and then dichotomized based on the median-split. Binomial logistic regressions, both simple and multivariable, were conducted to identify which factors contribute significantly to patients' satisfaction. We found that 63.2% of the participants were satisfied with the healthcare service they received. Patients attending the private facilities had the highest level of satisfaction (i.e. 73%) and patients attending the primary care facilities had the lowest level of satisfaction (i.e. 52%). Factors like convenient opening hours, asking related questions to the providers, facility cleanliness and privacy settings were significantly associated with patients' satisfaction. Being satisfied with facility cleanliness (multivariable OR 4.30; 95% CI: 3.29–5.62) and privacy settings (multivariable OR 1.68; 95% CI: 1.28–2.21) were the strongest predictors of patients' satisfaction. In conclusion, a significant portion of the patients in Bangladesh are not satisfied with their received care. Patients' satisfaction can be increased by focusing on improving facility cleanliness, privacy settings and providers' interpersonal skills.


On a given school day, over 31 million lunches and 10.1 million breakfasts are served to children in participating American schools through the USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The United States Department of Agriculture reimburses schools for some or all of their costs. Reimbursement rates are based on an average meal cost, adjusted each year based on the national CPI for food away from home. There is no adjustment for school characteristics such as size, although there can be as much as a seven-fold difference in the number of meals served, from the smallest to largest schools. Yet, economists have shown that economies of scale exist in a variety of commercial and industrial settings. Thus, we use a multiproduct translog cost function to estimate the costs of school breakfasts and lunches. Results indicate substantial and persistent economies of scale across 21 locations for school breakfasts but few unexploited scale economies in school lunches.


The Truncated RQ-iteration (TRQ) can be used to calculate interior or clustered eigenvalues of a large sparse and/or structured matrix A. This method requires solving a sequence of linear equations. When these equations can be solved accurately by a direct solver, the convergence of each eigenvalue is quadratic in general and cubic if A is hermitian. An important question is whether the TRQ iteration will still converge if these equations are approximately solved by a preconditioned iterative solver. If it does converge, how fast is the convergence rate? In this paper, we analyze the convergence of an inexact TRQ iteration in which linear systems are solved iteratively with some error. We show that under some appropriate conditions, the convergence rate of the inexact TRQ is at least linear with a small convergence factor.